Update: Particles Detected in Asteroid Probe’s Sample Container

  Particles have been detected inside the Hayabusa sample container, a process which began on June 24 at the Sagamiharashi campus’ curation center near Tokyo. However, it is still unknown whether the particles belong to asteroid Itokawa or Earth, and tests will...

Japan Sample Probe May Contain Bits of Asteroid!

Japan’s Hayabusa sample container – asteroid specimens? Credit: JAXA Graphic of Hayabusa return capsule. Credit: JAXA  There’s heightened excitement at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It appears that Japan’s Hayabusa space probe may...

Hayabusa Asteroid Sample Capsule: The Grand Opening

Hayabusa sample container – ready for opening! Credit: JAXA Hayabusa specialists ready return sample container for opening.   Hopes are high that the opening of a returned-to-Earth sample capsule does contain bits of an asteroid. The Japan Aerospace Exploration...